Posts about the cities, events, and interesting travel destinations we’ve visited in the USA, Canada and Europe.
We’re going back to Key West! After our visit in 2025, Exploring The Sites in Key West For The First Time, we didn’t expect it would be long before this quirky little island found its way back onto our travel plans. Our first trip was all about discovering Key West for the first time. We
Key West Take Two: New Discoveries, Old Favorites and Island Surprises Read More »
Friends for Life: Remembering Dion While Discovering San Antonio Travel isn’t always about checking destinations off a bucket list. Sometimes it’s about the friends who make the journey worthwhile—even when they can no longer walk beside us. This trip to San Antonio is different from my usual travel post and shares the story of friends
We’ve traveled by plane, train, bus, automobile, and just about every floating contraption that can carry passengers across the water. There is something wonderfully old-fashioned and surprisingly relaxing about sailing from Southampton to New York City aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2. Arriving in Southampton early We arrived in Southampton by train from London a few days before our sailing.
Southampton To New York On Queen Mary 2: Our Life at Sea Read More »
One of our favorite travel traditions is visiting Costco whenever we travel internationally. It may sound unusual, but Costco offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in another country. If you follow us online, you’re aware that The Wall Street Journal interviewed the Cajun Explorers. They noted how we treat international Costco visits as part
Costco London: Food Court, Prices, and Unique British Products Read More »
When we first visited London 35 years ago, people carried paper maps instead of smartphones and if you wanted directions, you had to ask an actual human being. Imagine that. There’s something surreal about returning to a city after 35 years. In our memories, London still felt wrapped in foggy mornings, red phone booths, paper maps, and
Our First Trip To London In 35 Years: A Nostalgic Return Full Of Surprises Read More »
Discovering Unusual Paris Sites Like many travelers, our first visits to Paris focused on the city’s famous landmarks—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame. After years of visiting Paris, we assumed we had already uncovered most of its hidden surprises. This trip proved otherwise. By wandering beyond the well-trodden tourist routes, we uncovered a collection
Beyond The Eiffel Tower: Unusual and Quirky Paris Sites Most Tourists Never See Read More »
Our Slow Travel Love Story with Paris Some cities impress you once and leave behind a beautiful memory. But Paris does something different. It quietly calls us back. Not because we need to check famous landmarks off a list. We came back because Paris feels different when you stop trying to “see it all” and simply start
Why We Keep Returning to Paris: A Slow Travel Love Story Read More »
What is shopping at Costco in France really like? While spending a week visiting friends in the French countryside, we headed back to Costco in France again! There’s something a little funny, and honestly a little comforting, about traveling across France and suddenly spotting a familiar red-and-blue sign for Costco. Our latest stop at a
Costco France: Food Court, French Finds and Why It’s One of Our Favorite Stops Read More »
After busy days of exploring cities around France, we decided to take a vacation “recess” and visit friends in the French countryside. We needed a bit of respite from jam packed sightseeing itineraries. Yes, I admit, I always over-plan our days afraid we’ll miss something important. So, it’s time to slow down for a peaceful
A Vacation Recess: Visiting Friends in the French Countryside Read More »
Join us as we journey to Orléans France to explore unique sites and local history. Along the way, we’ll also seek out hidden gems that make this city shine. Just last week we visited Dijon, France. By comparison, Orléans is even smaller, with a population of about 120,000 people. There’s one thing we’ve learned traveling throughout
Hidden Gems In Orléans France: Unique Sites and Local History Read More »
Before visiting Dijon, we expected mustard, Burgundy wine, and maybe a few pretty buildings. What we didn’t expect was how quickly this city would captivate us. So we’ll share with you what makes Dijon France so special and our favorite discoveries. Sunday is our first day in Dijon. Our apartment is in the center of the
What makes Dijon France so Special? Our Favorite Discoveries Read More »
Why Spend 2 Weeks in Lyon? Spending 2 weeks in Lyon is one of the best ways to experience authentic French culture beyond Paris at slower pace. We want to enjoy more time “living as locals” enjoying the best things to see, eat and experience. Instead of a quick typical tourist visit cramming in the
Two Weeks in Lyon: The Best Things to See, Eat & Experience Read More »
We are spending a week in the French Riviera visiting Nice, Monaco and Menton. It’s time for sun, sea and old town charm. Nice is our home base to explore the area. The Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is one of Europe’s most glamorous coastal regions. It’s famous for its sun-drenched beaches,
The Best Week in the French Riviera: Sun, Sea, and Old Town Charm Read More »
Arriving in Barcelona We sailed into Barcelona from our Transatlantic cruise like a couple of Cajun Explorers chasing sunshine instead of swamp mist, trading bayou breezes for Mediterranean salt air. And cher, let me tell you—this city don’t just welcome you, it grabs you by the soul and says, “Laissez les bon temps rouler… but
From Sangria To Sagrada: 3 Epic Days In Barcelona Read More »
This is the continuation of our 16 Day Transatlantic Cruise to Spain. Part 1 explored Nassau, The Bahamas and the 8 sea days we traveled before arriving in Spain. This post covers our remaining 5 days on our cruise. We are visiting 5 ports around Spain over the next 5 days. This is more like
A 16 Day Transatlantic Cruise to Spain: What it’s really like (Part 2) Read More »
We begin our 16 day transatlantic cruise to Spain departing from the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas. This is the first part of our three month 2026 European adventure. The morning we left Houston, we hadn’t expected a cold front. We awoke to 40 degree weather. So, we had a last minute wardrobe
A 16 Day Transatlantic Cruise to Spain: What it’s really like (Part 1) Read More »
This is our first time in Phuket, Thailand. Our plan is to stay a few nights in Phuket Old Town. Then, we’ll spend a couple of nights in Patong Beach. After that, we fly back to Singapore and head home. Checking in and getting settled We flew into Phuket from Singapore and arrived early in
First-Time In Phuket Thailand: From Old Town To The Beach Read More »
The Republic of Singapore is the smallest country in Asia, approximately 34 miles wide by 17 miles long, with a population of over 6 million people. It’s actually made up of 63 islands and has 4 official languages with English included. It’s both a country and a city. The only two other city-states in the
Big Wonders on a Small Island: Exploring Singapore Read More »
I’ve recently posted about our week exploring the beautiful sites of Hong Kong. So I begin this post as we board our Atlantis Cruise in Asia aboard the Celebrity Solstice. We’ll soon explore Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. Atlantis—an LGBT+ travel and tour company—chartered this cruise. It’s not only our first cruise on Celebrity, but our
A 12 day Atlantis Cruise in Asia: Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore Read More »
We are spending a week exploring some of the beautiful sites of Hong Kong, also known as the City of Skyscrapers. Here’s a travel tip for you. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy trip from the airport into Hong Kong, look into CityFlyer. This is a double decker, air conditioned express bus with
The beautiful sites of Hong Kong—the City of Skyscrapers Read More »
There are a number of exciting Des Moines day trips from covered bridges to windmills that are definitely worth visiting. In my previous post, Discovering things to see and do in Des Moines, Iowa I shared the fun sights and local dining experiences we enjoyed during our week stay in downtown. The two day trips
Exciting Des Moines Day Trips from Covered Bridges to Windmills Read More »
We are spending a week discovering things to see and do in and around Des Moines, Iowa. So, why Des Moines you might ask? Well, we wanted to get away for a quick trip and we threw a dart at a map. Bullseye lands in Iowa. I must admit we’ve never been to Iowa. Since
Discovering things to see and do in Des Moines, Iowa Read More »
We are traveling with friends to Key West, Florida for our first time visit. It’s been on our bucket list for quite some time now. Three people in our travel party (Rob, Danny and Tom) are celebrating their birthdays in March, so it’s the perfect time to spend a week exploring the Key West sites
Exploring The Sites in Key West For The First Time Read More »
After returning the rental car from our Grand Pacific Drive road trip, we flew to Melbourne, Australia for a week. It’s a quick flight, just over an hour. We checked into our 40th floor apartment in a downtown high rise. What an incredible view from our balcony! Arcades and Laneways Melbourne’s laneways are small, tucked
We love shopping at Costco, especially when traveling. Recently, we visited several Costco food court Australia locations. We wanted to discover if there are any regional food court menu options and products in the store. While traveling, we always search for unique items not available in Texas. You just never know what you’ll find. I’ve
Costco food court Australia and the special menu options Read More »
There are 87 scenic coastal miles in Australia’s Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales (NSW). You can certainly drive it nonstop. But, you wouldn’t really see much while behind the wheel. Although I won’t be the one driving. I’ll be chauffeured by my wonderful husband, like “driving Miss Daisy”. I planned many stops along
Australia’s Grand Pacific Drive in a 10 Day Road Trip Read More »
Saying goodbye to the Crown Princess and “G’day Mate” to Sydney Australia Our arrival in Sydney by cruise ship gave us a unique view of the city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The captain delayed our arrival until 7:00 a.m., so we would have daylight to enjoy the view. Our escort into the harbor is
A One Week Exploration Of Spectacular Sydney Australia Read More »
All of our friends know we love shopping at Costco, especially when traveling. Recently we stopped at the Costco food court in Honolulu, Hawaii while on our South Pacific Cruise. While planning our trips both in the US and in other countries, we always search for local product options not available in Texas. You just
Costco food court Honolulu and the special menu options Read More »
Welcome to part three and the final post of our 31 day South Pacific cruise. We left Tahiti and we are now sailing 5 days toward New Zealand. Here are the links if you missed the first two posts: Amazing 31-day South Pacific Cruise to Australia—1 (Hawaii) and Amazing 31-day Cruise in the South Pacific—2
Amazing 31-day Cruise in the South Pacific—3 (New Zealand) Read More »
Welcome to part two of our 31 day South Pacific cruise. We will visit Moorea and Papeete, Tahiti in French Polynesia. Click here to read my Part 1 post covering Hawaii. It’s another 5 relaxing days at sea before we arrive at our first stop in Moorea. French Polynesia is a territory of France, so
Amazing 31-day Cruise in the South Pacific—2 (French Polynesia) Read More »
